ball call

[BalkHawk]

Some umpires turn their head when they call a ball. What exactly is this for? i.e. do you turn your head in the direction t missed?

[johnnyg08]

I do not, but I've seen the mechanic reappearing at some very high non-MLB levels of baseball.  I've seen some very legit D2 guys in my area use that mechanic in the past couple of years, so maybe they're onto something.

 

Personally, I will not use the mechanic unless it becomes a requirement in the CCA manual, any other reputable manual, or if I'm told to do it by my boss(es).

[MidAmUmp]

I'll ball the pitch then turn my head toward the dugout and tell them where it is if the pitch was close. Basically answering a question before it was asked.

[semper_fi_72]

Ball, don't move, don't turn your head.

If it is a close pitch, Ball Emphasized with a Inside or Outside.

I don't need to look at the dugout so they can hear it.

They will, but the only one that matters is F2.

I don't answer "where was that pitch Blue" questions.

They can ask F2 and he better agree with me.

[Stan W.]

 

I do not, but I've seen the mechanic reappearing at some very high non-MLB levels of baseball.  I've seen some very legit D2 guys in my area use that mechanic in the past couple of years, so maybe they're onto something.

 

Personally, I will not use the mechanic unless it becomes a requirement in the CCA manual, any other reputable manual, or if I'm told to do it by my boss(es).

agreed, this was a pretty common practice in my area with a number of really good guys I knew who did higher level non-pro ball.....its not listed as an accepted mechanic, but its smart to do what is accepted in your assoc or endorsed by your evaluator...

[noumpere]

It's one way of saying in or out without using your voice.  Was a relativley common practice for a while and Im sure it will come back just as theyve gone from using voice to not using voice back to using it.  And of course the level and your reputation mattters too in which one you can use

[MidAmUmp]

I don't answer "where was that pitch Blue" questions.

They can ask F2 and he better agree with me.

Not good advice...

A coach asking where the pitch is is a legitimate question and deserves an answer from the umpire, not the catcher.  If they ask it all the time, then shut it down and tell them they're not going to ask after every pitch.

[Jocko]

Pitch comes in out of the zone, "Ball" with head locked and not moving. As F2 prepares to throw ball to F1, I step back and reset as F1 steps back on rubber. I will occasionally offer unsolicited information to F2 if it was close. "Corner was good, just a little high" in a hushed tone only F2 and possibly batter can hear. I never give vocal location to anyone else unless specifically asked THE RIGHT WAY.

[JaxRolo]

Pitch comes in out of the zone, "Ball" with head locked and not moving. As F2 prepares to throw ball to F1, I step back and reset as F1 steps back on rubber. I will occasionally offer unsolicited information to F2 if it was close. "Corner was good, just a little high" in a hushed tone only F2 and possibly batter can hear. I never give vocal location to anyone else unless specifically asked THE RIGHT WAY.

 

I thought you called everything a strike!

[Jocko]

Pitch comes in out of the zone, "Ball" with head locked and not moving. As F2 prepares to throw ball to F1, I step back and reset as F1 steps back on rubber. I will occasionally offer unsolicited information to F2 if it was close. "Corner was good, just a little high" in a hushed tone only F2 and possibly batter can hear. I never give vocal location to anyone else unless specifically asked THE RIGHT WAY.

 I thought you called everything a strike!

oops. Forgot. Everything's a strike, and everyone is out. Gotta remember that!

[grayhawk]

If it's close, I will say "Ball, that's in" or "Ball, that's out."

 

If the coach asks politely, I will answer his question. If they ask too often, then I will let them know that they are overstepping. If they yell it out or get belligerent, then I will give them a "that's enough" with a stop sign.

 

True story: I had an assistant coach in a frosh/soph game ask me where a pitch was on a called pitchout.

[Jocko]

AHSAAUM page 15 item 10 "Call 'em, Don't Explain 'em: your ball-strike calls are not to be routinely explained, such as 'Ball! Low' or 'Ball! Inside' or 'Strike! Caught the corner.' If the catcher asks where a certain pitch was, tell him. The catcher should not ask repeatedly, 'Where was the pitch?' If he does, you should tell him you're not going to explain every pitch to him. Tell him that he is perfectly aware of where he caught the pitch_low, outside, etc. From that point on, don't discuss pitches. Agree with the catcher if he should ask, for example, 'Was it low?' Answer yes without comment. If you give some thought to the matter of explaining pitches, you'll realize the catcher or pitcher rarely asks where a called strike was. When a catcher repeatedly asks about a ball call, it's really a form of protest, or the catcher is inexperienced. You, as the umpire, have to distinguish between the two. If you're convinced it's a bona fide request for information, give a short, matter-of-fact reply."

[UmpTTS43]

You only learn game management through experience. Manuals can give suggestions and pointers but it is experience that really counts. I hate being evaluated by those that think that know what's up because of their position, usually with no real experience other than reading some random manual. Bottom line, did I handle my business? If so then all's good. Just because my game management may be different than yours does not make it wrong.

[UmpTTS43]

AHSAAUM page 15 item 10 "Call 'em, Don't Explain 'em: your ball-strike calls are not to be routinely explained, such as 'Ball! Low' or 'Ball! Inside' or 'Strike! Caught the corner.' If the catcher asks where a certain pitch was, tell him. The catcher should not ask repeatedly, 'Where was the pitch?' If he does, you should tell him you're not going to explain every pitch to him. Tell him that he is perfectly aware of where he caught the pitch_low, outside, etc. From that point on, don't discuss pitches. Agree with the catcher if he should ask, for example, 'Was it low?' Answer yes without comment. If you give some thought to the matter of explaining pitches, you'll realize the catcher or pitcher rarely asks where a called strike was. When a catcher repeatedly asks about a ball call, it's really a form of protest, or the catcher is inexperienced. You, as the umpire, have to distinguish between the two. If you're convinced it's a bona fide request for information, give a short, matter-of-fact reply."

I'll be sure to print this out and put it with my FED mechanics manual.

[semper_fi_72]

I don't answer "where was that pitch Blue" questions.

They can ask F2 and he better agree with me.

Not good advice...

A coach asking where the pitch is is a legitimate question and deserves an answer from the umpire, not the catcher.  If they ask it all the time, then shut it down and tell them they're not going to ask after every pitch.

 

I wasn't giving advice.

It is what I do and you don't have to agree with it.

Then again, I can not remember the last time a coach or manager even asked me where a pitch was.

So I must be doing something right.

[Jocko]

As always, do what is accepted/expected. My higher-ups don't want me saying anything other than ball or strike, so I don't. I was just giving reference for why we do what we do.

[johnnyg08]

I've been getting PM's from guys telling me that unless I want to get dinged on my evaluations, I should start doing this.  

[Jocko]

I've been getting PM's from guys telling me that unless I want to get dinged on my evaluations, I should start doing this.  

start doing what, explaining calls?

[johnnyg08]

From the DII Manual to Exceed the standard for a ball call:

 

Uses a louder voice to “sell†a ball call which is close. May spot the location of the pitch for added emphasis

 

To Meet the standard for a ball call at the DII level:

 

There is no increase in volume for close ball calls.

[JaxRolo]

From the DII Manual to Exceed the standard for a ball call:

Uses a louder voice to “sell†a ball call which is close. May spot the location of the pitch for added emphasis

To Meet the standard for a ball call at the DII level:

There is no increase in volume for close ball calls.

Interesting!

Is this D2 only?

[Chris Hickman]

Midamump is 100% correct regarding working with coaches. Take his advise or not don't however this man puts on several successful umpire camps so I would not dismiss his advise. Ignoring coaches who ask legit questions is going to lead to a bad day or a sh!thouse....

[MidAmUmp]

Thanks Chris...the checks in the mail!

 

Just to clarify what I originally posted...

If a pitch is very close, but not one I can get for a strike (ex.: catcher sets up outside and sticks the pitch).  I will say "Ball!" loud and emphatically and then turn my head towards that teams dugout and say "That's out."

 

I only do it on pitches that are in or out.  They can obviously see up and down and I'm not going to open that can of worms.

 

I do this to simply answer the question before they can ask it.  Same as I would do with a pulled foot, no tag, no stop balk, etc.  I'm going to answer the coach's question so we can avoid a discussion about it.  They don't have to agree with me but they know what I have.

 

I have found it to be very successful for me.  It may not work for you.

 

Also, I will stand behind my statement - if a coach asks you where a pitch is, you answer him.  He's asked you a legitimate question and it deserves a legitimate answer from you.  If he doesn't like your answer, then you have a problem to address.  Ignoring him or expecting the catcher to answer it for you "and he'd better be on the same page as me" is not the correct way to handle this situation.  What will happen is the catcher will tell the dugout where you had the pitch, but he will do so while grabbing his mask, or playing with the dirt, or tapping his shin guard to indicate you missed it.

 

I would handle it as follows...

Coach: Where's that pitch?

Me: Down

Coach: No it's not.  I can see up and down.

Me: Then don't ask.

 

If the conversation continues, I'll issue a warning.

[AZump78]

I would handle it as follows... Coach: Where's that pitch? Me: Down Coach: No it's not. I can see up and down. Me: Then don't ask.

Thats a good one. Going to use that going forward.

[Jocko]

I would handle it as follows...Coach: Where's that pitch?Me: DownCoach: No it's not. I can see up and down.Me: Then don't ask.

Thats a good one. Going to use that going forward.

Myself

[NWA_UMP]

I have been trained two differnt ways on a close 'ball'...

 

1. Loud, sell the fact that the pitch didn't hit the zone

2. Normal voice, relax...it's not like it's a strike. Point being that if it misses it misses and we don't excited about pitches out of the zone.....

 

I will answer if asked where the pitch missed if asked...but not moare than a couple or three times. Anything more and I have an issue that will be addressed.